What we're about

We are a Makerspace located at The Switch (http://theswitch.io/) in Livermore, CA. Members of our space use our equipment to work on personal or professional projects, take and teach classes about building and programing, and gather together to work on individual and group projects. We focus on robotics and our space includes 3-D printers, CNC mills and a laser cutter, an electronics lab, metal and wood working shops. We are also a family friendly facility and try to offer fun learning experiences for our kids, opportunities for parents and children to work and learn together.

Upcoming events (5+)

An informal, hobbyist level group meeting to discuss current projects involving electronics or microcontrollers (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, etc.). If you've got a project you're working on or something you'd just like to show off, bring it by! Also, if there's a topic you'd like to know more about, message the members and we can see about getting someone to do a presentation.
Warning: meetings can be quite short depending on what everyone brings in. But, no worries - this meeting also serves as a drop in time for non-members. So feel free to hang out, meet the members and check out the tools.
Looking forward to seeing you at the meeting.

Every Tuesday night our Special Interest Group (SIG) focuses on fun & interesting Ham Radio DIY projects.
We are meeting at Robot Garden makerspace and have (supervised) access to their fabrication tools for our ham projects - 3D printers, laser cutter, CNC mills, electronics test equipment, wood shop and metal shop tools, and more.
Over the past couple of years we have worked on a variety of projects:
- Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications using signal bounces
- home made directional antenna
- custom reflow soldering oven build
- mesh network rollout for Tri-Valley
- weather balloon launch using APRS for tracking
Many attendees are members of the local Livermore Amateur Radio Klub (LARK). But, you don't have to be a member to attend these weekly Meetups.
We are open to a wide range of activities and projects. You're welcome to come learn with us. Just show up with your ideas and your enthusiasm!
LARK - http://www.livermoreark.org
Robot Garden - http://www.robotgarden.org
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FOR EXISTING ROBOT GARDEN MEMBERS -- Please, stop in to sync up with other members, get an update on ongoing projects, and hear the latest news regarding our proposed new location - the Tri-Valley STEM Center.
FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS AND NON-MEMBERS -- This is your chance to stop in and get an informal tour of the facility, meet our members, check out our tools and capabilities, and ask about the projects we have in the works.
Please, do not show up empty handed. Bring food!
Robot Garden will supply some pizza. You should bring something that will feed 6-10 people. Although you're welcome to bring something that feeds more, we don't like having lots of food left over.
Entrees. Salads. Side Dishes. Deserts. Bring something you like to eat yourself. Store bought or home made - either is fine.
Please, be sure to RSVP with the dish or food item you plan to bring.

Robot Garden recently received a grant to build a NASA inspired opensource Mars Rover. In the hopes of involving lots of different people, we are doing this as a "community build".
We are planning to make significant modifications to the design originally presented by NASA. With these changes, there will be plenty of ways for people with various skill sets to get involved.
In fact, our modifications are planned specifically so that many other local groups and individuals can participate and contribute. The build will be modular so that different components can be designed and built by different groups. Components can be added or swapped out over time.
We will start with a basic radio-controlled rover. Over time we will add modules for command line navigation, autonomous navigation, robotic arms, multiple cameras, rock & plant identification, weather station, etc.
We want lots of people involved in this project. If you would like to participate, please, join us at any one of the ongoing meetings. Or, contact Tom Manger directly via the Meetup Message feature.
Individuals not associated with a group are welcome to get directly involved with the project. Below is a preliminary (but not yet verified) list of groups we hope to get involved in this project.
PROPOSED PARTNER/GROUP ACTIVITIES
Robot Garden
- robotic systems design & construction
- autonomous navigation module
- command line control module
- motor controller module
- battery management
- power distribution
- robotic arm assembly
NorCal Mars Society
- high level design
- public outreach
- Rover testing
- documentation & educational materials
Livermore Amateur Radio Club
- Wireless Communications Plan
- Amateur TV module
- Livermore Valley Lithophiles
- mineral identification module
TriValley Stargazers
- TBD
Livermore Flying Electrons
- RC control module
- Tri-Valley Coderdojo
- systems programming
Girl Scout Troop #30226
- circuit board design & construction
Aviation Explorer Post #997
- any sheet metal work
Robotics Explorer Post #987
- metal fabrication
Del Arroyo 4-H
- circuit board design & construction